Association History

“I realized there was a great deal I did not know about the business. I presumed that a conference of successful distributors, drawn from various metropolitan cities, would result in an exchange of ideas that would be beneficial to all.”

This was the basic vision of Alfred Richter, who founded the National Sanitary Supply Association in 1923.

Richter understood that the cleaning industry needed to unite as a community—not only for the betterment of its members, but also for the health of the nation. Based on these ideals, the association grew from its few founding members to a worldwide organization, and in 1966, to reflect its growing international membership, the association changed its name to International Sanitary Supply Association. Then, in 2005, the association embraced cleaning service providers, prompting the association to change its name and tagline simply to: ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association.

ISSA’s 94 years of experience can mean success for your future. ISSA has alliances with more than 75 local, regional, and national associations as well as industry, government, and other leading corporate and community entities around the world. These are in addition to its own offices in Northbrook, IL; Mainz, Germany; Botany, Australia; and Shanghai, China.

Enrich your company and educate your employees by connecting with more than 9,200 distributor, wholesaler, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, building service contractor, in-house service provider, residential cleaneing, publisher, and associate members from around the world.

ISSA is committed to advancing the vision of its founder—making you the ultimate success.